Raynor HCA 2014-01
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/30/2014
A good war-date Union sailor's letter, 4pp. 4to., written by Ezra Greene, (former private 2nd Rhode Island Vols. who transferred to the Brown Water navy), "U. S. Gun Boat Louisville, Columbus, KY., April 21, 1862", in part: "…I was not in the battle of Island No. 10. The Louisville was on guard at Columbus and Hickman…we left Hickman last Thursday…when we left Hickman the houses were nearly all surrounded with water, some of them washing into the river. One splendid one story cottage…the under pinning washed out and it tipped over into the river…we moved one family out in our boat the day before we left there. The inhabitants say the water is 6 ft higher than it has been…for 20 years. It is over the rail road…and the track is washed away…it is impossible to get along the streets except on horse back…the tops of the houses floating down the river…come from Cairo…the whole city will all wash away…we have got new Patent locks and sights on our guns…except 4 rifles which are condemned. 39 transports loaded with troops passed…here Friday…said to be General Pope's Army, every one [was] loaded down to the waters edge. They are larger than steamers between N. Y. and Stonington [Connecticut]…Jeff Davis says he is going to share the fate with his soldiers in the next battle field…he says their cause is sure, they will conquer in the end. General Beauregard made a speech to his men on Saturday…in which he told them the result was a sure thing…if they lost the day, he said they might as well lay down their arms and go home…the other boats and the mortars went down and took No. 10…". VG
Click on a thumbnail above to display a larger image below
Hold down the mouse button and slide side to side to see more thumbnails(if available).
Click above for larger image.